Sangamon Sun

Village of Illiopolis Board of Trustees met July 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Rogers called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A roll call was taken, all members were present.

Agenda

The agenda was adopted as presented.

Minutes

D Koonce made a motion to approve the June 19, 2023 meeting minutes seconded by R Reed All ayes Motion carried 6-0-0.

Visitors

Dawn Fischer with Ameresco was present to give an update on the Brownfield solar project. She is familiar with the process and stated that she will give quarterly communication with the Village. She will be getting a conditional use permit from the County. She said there are 70 acres but they may only need half the land.

Nancy Dale was present to talk about the Summer Rec program. She said that kids from other communities are allowed to participate and they pay a $5 fee. This year the program is averaging 70 kids a day. They have a director and 2 assistant directors. Activities include board games, a water slide and a bubble machine. R Reed asked how donations are being made. Nancy said that people donate money or buy concessions and water. Local restaurants have provided ice cream and other treats.

Open Forum

Treasurer’s Report

C Mitchell presented a report on the unpaid bills, check detail, and grant expenses. She also mentioned that we now have a CD with Staley Credit Union in the amount of $250,000. She also said the Village purchased a new copier and a telephone.

D Koonce made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented with B Honea seconding All ayes Motion carried 6-0-0

.Economic Development Report

R Reed stated that he spoke to Joe Watts and Joe is moving forward with the old Waddell Building. Joe will keep in touch with R Reed.

R Reed spoke about the Gun Range and using some land near the Industrial site. They will need water, electric and sewer. He also said this would be a benefit to the community. Sheriff Jack Campbell would like to have 10 acres for this site. R Reed will have more information at the next meeting.

Engineering Report

West Side Park: The drainage problem is due in part to the installation of undersized tile along with a lack of suitable drainage characteristics on the downstream side of the culvert crossing under Beaman Dr.

The existing tile running from the north side of the park to the existing culvert at the south side of the park at Beaman St is 10 inches, whereas 36 inches was the found to be the size necessary from hydraulic calculations performed prior to the construction of the Prairie Run subdivision. A very rough cost estimate to replace the existing tile with a larger, appropriately sized tile would be around $60,000. The conditions on the south side of Beaman St would also need to be addressed, otherwise water will continue to back up in the park. A very rough cost estimate to install approximately 900 feet of adequately sized tile from the culvert at Beaman St to the creek to the south would be approximately $120,000. I spoke with one landowner, who would be willing to share some of the costs with the Village. While the Village is not responsible to pay for the necessary improvement on the private properties, doing so would certainly move the project along quicker. It could also be done cheaper by utilizing a drainage swale instead of buried tile, but that would likely be more disagreeable to the landowners. I will perform a more precise cost estimate with different options and look for any possible grants to help offset the cost.

7th & Elizabeth Inlet: The sinkhole next to the inlet has been filled in with dirt. Would like to monitor this to determine what initially caused the sinkhole as it could possible to be unrelated to the failing storm pipe and could be indicative of a buried tile.

Old Business

New Business

M Pevler made a motion to adopt ordinance 2023-06 for the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Beaman and Foster with S McIntyre seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

D Koonce made a motion to adopt ordinance 2023-07 for the revised ordinance book with J DeVore seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

J DeVore made a motion to adopt the appropriation ordinance 2023-08 for the fiscal year, with B Honea seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

Mayor Rogers spoke about the proposal for the garbage contract. He said that he will send the proposal to 4 different companies. The Board had no problem with the proposal.

J DeVore made a motion to donate $2750 to the Summer Rec program with D Koonce seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

A discussion was held regarding the fence at Westside Park, for additional material, it will cost $741. R Reed made a motion to approve the additional cost with D Koonce seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

A discussion was held about the additional tree work from Leka Tree Service. R Reed made a motion to approve the additional $2400 with J DeVore seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

D Koonce made a motion to approve the building permit for a deck for Stacy Rogers with J DeVore seconding, all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

D Koonce made a motion to approve pay estimates #4, 4A, B, C in the total amount of $198,974.75 for the storm sewer replacement project with B Honea seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

Mayor Rogers mentioned that he was contacted by the Village of Buffalo about bringing over their tree debris from the storm. After further discussion, R Reed made a motion to charge the Village of Buffalo a fee of $2000 for the dumping, with B Honea seconding, roll call vote was taken all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

Dilapidated Property

S McIntyre spoke about the old Methodist Church, the door was open and the window pane was broken out. There is also a water leak and soffits are falling down.

Comments

Mayor Rogers stated that 22 tons of junk was hauled away during the clean up day for the Village. This does not include what the scavengers picked up on Friday night.

Mayor Rogers also said that Eric Emmerich is no longer with EJ Water. Bill Tichmiller is now in charge and Mayor Rogers will reach out to see if he can attend the next board meeting. He also stated that 4-H sent a thank you letter to the Village. He received a phone call from the Scouts and one is going to work on the Formosa Memorial, and another Scout is going to work on the rock in Westside Park.

D Koonce spoke about Hunter Martin and the fishing pond, he is seeking funds or donations.

R Reed spoke to Diane Reinhart and we are still waiting for documentation for her hours worked.

M Pevler made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:51pm to discuss personnel with S McIntyre seconding, roll call all ayes motion carried 6-0-0.

M Pevler made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:08pm with S McIntyre seconding, Roll call all ayes motion carried 6-0-0

R Reed made a motion to adjourn at 8:08pm with M Pevler seconding. All ayes 6-0-0.

https://illiopolis.illinois.gov/government/agenda-minutes/